Martyred for the faith at Seoul in the Byeongin persecution, 1867. Beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014.
Life
Anna Yi was born into a Catholic family in Incheon and married the son of Peter Song; she lived at the Baeti Catholic village in Jincheon with her husband's grandfather Benedict Song and his parents. Only her surname and baptismal name have come down to us.
In spring 1867 she was arrested with her husband's family by police from Seoul and taken via Jincheon and Juksan to Seoul, where she was interrogated. Through suffering hard for anyone to bear, she did not deny God, and she was martyred in Seoul that year.
Pope Francis declared her Blessed on August 16, 2014.
Spirituality
The spirituality of Anna Yi is a faith of waiting and prayer. As Saint Anne, her patron, raised the Blessed Mother while awaiting God's promise, she too trusted and waited for God's time in the darkness. Though her given name is not remembered, the faith she kept together with her husband's family shines before God.
Reflection
Anna Yi kept the faith to the end together with her husband's family. Let us think of the mothers in our community who quietly hold up the Church with prayer. Why not thank one of them today?